Cannon closes out season with 46 trails open

Spring skiing was a bit cooler than expected with even a few flakes of snow on Saturday, but a lot more snow than expected for closing weekend at Cannon Mountain with plenty of snow on 46 trails, the most number of trails opened in the Granite State of the last four resorts still operating. Skiers and riders enjoyed great conditions to end their season with a blast. (Kathleen Baglio Humphreys)

FRANCONIA — It still looked and felt like winter at Cannon Mountain this weekend. Cannon picked up 5 inches of snow this past week.

There is an abundance of snow on the trails, despite a few bare spots that are developing.

Cannon is closing their season with the most number of skiable trails in New Hampshire, 46, and reporting they had a good season.

“I think we have had some of the best late season conditions we’ve ever had,” Cannon Mountain General Manager John DeVivo said.

To illustrate the interest in spring skiing, Cannon Mountain had 1,400 visitors on Friday.

Enjoying the skiing at Cannon Mountain on Saturday was the Laurendeau family of Bedford, who are first-time season pass holders this winter. “I’m ecstatic. The conditions are awesome; not too hard and not too soft,” said Denis Laurendeau.

The Rivard family of Goffstown has enjoyed two seasons at Cannon Mountain and skied Easter morning.

“I’m sad to see an epic season end,” said Eric Rivard.

“It was a great season. All the terrain was opened, really amazing,” he added.Both families had children that raced for the Franconia Ski Club and this weekend enjoyed skiing with many of their former teammates from Crotched Mountain.The last Granite State mountains to close for the season will be Bretton Woods, who will have a Patriots Day celebration today while Wildcat plans to reopen for the weekend of April 27.

Looking back, and a look ahead

Snow was certainly not an issue this winter, it was the ups and downs of the weather.

“Taking into account three major rainstorms and three weeks of warmth from mid December to mid January, we are essentially right on with last season in terms of skier visits, revenue and snowfall,” said DeVivo.

“We had a great first month, rough second month and a solid last three months,” added DeVivo. “We had a fantastic March with new snow and great conditions.”

Cannon received 183 inches of snow this season, the most in New Hampshire.Cannon Mountain is looking to upgrade their snow gun arsenal and snowmaking capacity over the next couple of years and the commencement of the Mittersill Improvement Plan that could come as early as next season or the following season depending on the permitting process.

As Cannon staff only has a few weeks to ramp up for spring at the state park. They anticipate the Flume will open on May 9, the Lafayette Campground on May 16, the Aerial Tramway on May 23 and Echo Lake as soon as the weather allows.